Teens and Deepfake Nudes: Digital Bullying’s New Frontier

Deepfake technology—AI capable of creating hyper-realistic synthetic videos, images, and audio—has seen explosive growth. One of its darker applications, deepfake nudes, has caused a wave of concern in high schools, posing complex challenges for parents and educators. Alarmingly, teens are often the perpetrators, sharing manipulated images of their classmates.

Parents need to understand the complexities of deepfake nudes to help protect their teens in today’s digital world. Deepfake nudes involve AI technology used to create hyper-realistic manipulated images, often as a form of bullying or harassment among teens. Here’s what parents need to know to keep their children safe.

Alarmingly, teens are often the perpetrators of deepfakes, sharing manipulated images of their classmates.

Source: Highway Starz/Getty Images Pro

How Deepfakes Work and Why They’re Dangerous

The easy accessibility of deepfake tools means anyone with minimal technical skill can transform any person’s photo into a hyper-realistic, compromising, explicit image. This misuse typically begins as a prank among teens, whose still-developing brains struggle with self-regulation and often succumb to peer pressure. However, deepfake nudes are no laughing matter; they represent a serious form of sexual harassment with significant psychological effects on victims, so it’s crucial for parents to understand that teens need education. Group dynamics and peer pressure can drive teens to make choices without fully considering the consequences.

The Growing Danger of Accessible Deepfake Software

Creating deepfakes requires no specialized knowledge. With a smartphone and the right app, anyone can generate and share manipulated content, including nude images, within minutes. While many deepfake platforms prohibit explicit or harmful content, users can often bypass these restrictions, contributing to the spread of deepfake nudes.

Over 90 percent of deepfake content online is pornographic, with most images targeting women and girls. The ease of access, combined with motives like revenge or social power, has turned deepfakes into a common tool for cyberbullying. This issue extends beyond teenagers; for instance, a teacher in Indiana was so traumatized by deepfake nudes shared by her students that she felt unable to continue teaching.

The Psychological Impact on Victims: Violating Bodily Autonomy

Being targeted by deepfake nudes is profoundly distressing, especially for adolescents and young adults. Deepfake nudes violate an individual’s right to bodily autonomy—the control over one’s own body without interference. Victims experience a severe invasion of privacy and may feel a loss of control over their bodies, as their likeness is manipulated without consent. This often leads to shame, anxiety, and a decreased sense of self-worth. Fear of social ostracism can also contribute to anxiety, depression, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

The effects of this harassment can be long-lasting, impacting trust, social relationships, and self-esteem well into adulthood. Coming forward can further expose victims to shame and victim-blaming, while the perpetrators remain invisible. Research has shown that sharing intimate images without consent causes psychological harm comparable to direct sexual abuse (Naezer & van Oosterhout, 2021).

Bystanders Suffer, Too

The harm caused by deepfake nudes extends beyond the victim. Those in a close social circle, often bystanders, may feel helpless or even complicit. Peer pressure and fear of judgment or retaliation can deter students from intervening. Witnessing such abuse can elevate stress, anxiety, and empathy-related distress (Doumas & Midgett, 2020), undermining mental health and heightening a sense of vulnerability.

Steps You Can Take if Targeted by Deepfake Nudes

If you or someone you know has been targeted by deepfake nudes, there are ways to mitigate harm:

• Document Evidence: Take screenshots, note URLs, and record any interactions with the person sharing the images. These records are vital for reporting to authorities and online platforms.
• Report the Content: Most social media and websites have protocols for nonconsensual content reporting. Contact the platform directly, providing the necessary information to help remove the content.
• Seek Support: Being the target of deepfakes can feel isolating, but talking to a trusted adult, counselor, or friend can alleviate emotional distress. Therapists specializing in cyber trauma can offer coping strategies for managing the associated stress and shame.
• Engage Legal Help: Some regions have laws against nonconsensual pornography and deepfake content. For instance, 48 U.S. states have laws applicable to deepfakes. Legal consultation can clarify your options.

Social Media Essential Reads

Are You Gaslighting the Psych Dictionary?

Debunking TikTok's Mental Health Misinformation

Parents: Build Trust and Educate

Parents play a crucial role in helping teens navigate the digital world and the dangers associated with deepfakes. Often, teens feel too embarrassed to ask for help regarding sexual matters, even if they are innocent. Open discussions about the risks and benefits of digital technology can build trust, making it easier for teens to seek support.

• Encourage Open Communication: Let teens know they can talk about online experiences and concerns without fear of judgment. This openness increases the likelihood they will reach out during challenging situations.
• Teach Privacy: Emphasize the importance of online privacy. Remind teens that even harmless-looking images can be exploited and advise caution with personal information online.
• Stay Informed: Deepfake technology evolves quickly. By keeping up-to-date with digital trends, parents can better understand potential threats their children face.
• Set Digital Boundaries: Set guidelines about photo sharing and online interactions. This includes cautioning against sharing compromising images and reconsidering the parental practice of "sharenting," or sharing children’s images online.

Help Teens Protect Their Privacy

Teens can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of deepfake abuse:

• Limit Sharing Private Content: Avoid sharing private or compromising images, even with close friends. Once an image is online, it’s hard to control who accesses or uses it.
• Use Strong Privacy Settings: Regularly update privacy settings on social media to restrict viewing of personal content to trusted friends only.
• Be Cautious With Apps: Many websites and apps request access to photo galleries or cameras. Avoid granting access to untrusted platforms with poor security records.

Resources for Dealing With Deepfake Content

Several resources are available to help report and remove harmful deepfake content:

• TakeItDown: A free service to help remove nude, partially nude, or explicit images or videos shared of individuals under 18.
• Thorn.org: Offers parent guides for discussing digital safety with children, including deepfake nudes.
• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI): Provides legal resources and support for nonconsensual pornography victims.
• STOPNCII.org: A platform dedicated to removing nonconsensual intimate images from the internet.
• Social Media Help Centers: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide specific reporting options for nonconsensual content.

The rise of deepfake nudes underscores a troubling blend of technology, privacy invasion, and bullying that affects countless young people. With digital literacy training, open conversations, and staying up-to-date, we can help lessen the impact of deepfake nudes and empower the next generation to navigate the digital landscape with greater safety and awareness.